1996 Edition

Description

three vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green with a large green Norfolk Island pine tree centered in the slightly wider white band

Location

29 02 S, 167 57 E -- Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia Flag ----

Area

comparative area

about 0.2 times the size of Washington, DC

land area

34.6 sq km

total area

34.6 sq km

Climate

subtropical, mild, little seasonal temperature variation

Coastline

32 km

Environment

current issues

NA

international agreements

NA

natural hazards

typhoons (especially May to July)

Geographic coordinates

29 02 S, 167 57 E

International disputes

none

Irrigated land

NA sq km

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land

0%

forest and woodland

0%

meadows and pastures

25%

other

75%

permanent crops

0%

Location

Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia

Map references

Oceania

Maritime claims

exclusive fishing zone

200 nm

territorial sea

3 nm

Natural resources

fish

Terrain

volcanic formation with mostly rolling plains

highest point

Mount Bates 319 m

lowest point

Pacific Ocean 0 m

Age structure

0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA

Birth rate

NA births/1,000 population

Death rate

NA deaths/1,000 population

Ethnic divisions

descendants of the Bounty mutineers, Australian, New Zealander

Infant mortality rate

NA deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

English (official), Norfolk a mixture of 18th century English and ancient Tahitian

Life expectancy at birth

female

NA years

male

NA years

total population

NA years

Nationality

adjective

Norfolk Islander(s)

noun

Norfolk Islander(s)

Net migration rate

NA migrant(s)/1,000 population

Population

2,209 (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.68% (1996 est.)

Religions

Anglican 39%, Roman Catholic 11.7%, Uniting Church in Australia 16.4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 4.4%, none 9.2%, unknown 16.9%, other 2.4% (1986)

Sex ratio

all ages

NA male(s)/female

at birth

NA male(s)/female

under 15 years

NA male(s)/female 15-64 years: NA male(s)/female 65 years and over: NA male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

NA children born/woman

Administrative divisions

none (territory of Australia)

Capital

Kingston (administrative center); Burnt Pine (commercial center)

Constitution

Norfolk Island Act of 1979

Data code

NF

Diplomatic representation in US

none (territory of Australia)

Executive branch

cabinet

Executive Council is made up of executive members of the Legislative Assembly

chief of state

Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6 February 1952) is a hereditary monarch; the queen and Australia are represented by Administrator Alan Gardner KERR (since NA April 1992) who was appointed by the governor general of Australia

head of government

Assembly President and Chief Minister John Terrence BROWN (since NA) was elected for not more than three years by the Legislative Assembly

Flag

three vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green with a large green Norfolk Island pine tree centered in the slightly wider white band

Independence

none (territory of Australia)

International organization participation

none

Judicial branch

Supreme Court

Legal system

based on the laws of Australia, local ordinances and acts; English common law applies in matters not covered by either Australian or Norfolk Island law

Legislative Assembly

elections last held 20 May 1992 (next to be held NA May 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (9 total) independents 9

Legislative branch

unicameral

Name of country

conventional long form

Territory of Norfolk Island

conventional short form

Norfolk Island

National holiday

Pitcairners Arrival Day Anniversary, 8 June (1856)

Political parties and leaders

none

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Type of government

territory of Australia

US diplomatic representation

none (territory of Australia)

Agriculture

Norfolk Island pine seed, Kentia palm seed, cereals, vegetables, fruit; cattle, poultry

Budget

expenditures

$4.8 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY92/93)

revenues

$4.6 million

Currency

1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents

Economic aid

none

Economic overview

The primary economic activity is tourism, which has brought a level of prosperity unusual among inhabitants of the Pacific islands. The number of visitors has increased steadily over the years and reached 29,000 in FY88/89. Revenues from tourism have given the island a favorable balance of trade and helped the agricultural sector to become self-sufficient in the production of beef, poultry, and eggs.

Electricity

capacity

7,000 kW

consumption per capita

3,160 kWh (1990)

production

8 million kWh

Exchange rates

Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.3477 (January 1996), 1.3486 (1995), 1.3667 (1994), 1.4704 (1993), 1.3600 (1992), 1.2835 (1991), 1.2799 (1990)

Exports

$1.5 million (f.o.b., FY91/92)

commodities

postage stamps, seeds of the Norfolk Island pine and Kentia palm, small quantities of avocados

partners

Australia, Pacific Islands, NZ, Asia, Europe

External debt

$NA

Fiscal year

1 July - 30 June

GDP

purchasing power parity - $NA

GDP composition by sector

agriculture

NA%

industry

NA%

services

NA%

GDP per capita

$NA

GDP real growth rate

NA%

Imports

$17.9 million (c.i.f., FY91/92)

commodities

NA

partners

Australia, Pacific Islands, NZ, Asia, Europe

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

tourism

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

NA%

Labor force

1,395 (1991 est.)

Unemployment rate

NA%

Defense note

defense is the responsibility of Australia

Radio broadcast stations

AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0

Radios

2,000 (1991 est.)

Telephone system

domestic

NA

international

radiotelephone service with Sydney (Australia)

Telephones

1,087 (1983 est.)

Televisions

900 (1991 est.) Defense

Airports

total

1

with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m

1 (1995 est.)

Highways

paved

53 km

total

80 km

unpaved

27 km

Merchant marine

none

Ports

none; loading jetties at Kingston and Cascade

Railways

0 km